Which professional sports league commish has it easiest right now?

[bedir than average]

I'm about to post a fairly thourough look at the top tier and even lower level sports and show just how bad team sports in America have it right now. Struggles abound at every level of significant team sports, some which are well documented, some which have remained a bit hidden.

[cardinals_10]

In my opinion i would say that no commish has it easy. There is always some problem like TV ratings, illegal drugs or lack of interest. Being commish of an entire professional sport will always have some problem and the job will never be easy.

[bedir than average]

Calamity as Catalyst - My Vote of Confidence in the NBA - Blog Maverick

Mark Cuban responds to the calamity.

There are any number of examples in the business world where calamity led to better management, better communications, greater transparency and even better products. As the proverb goes, Necessity is the Mother of Invention.

The NBA took a hit today. Behind that hit is a catalyst and opportunity for significant change that could make the NBA stronger than it ever has been. Its a chance to proactively put in place people, processes and transparency that will forever silence those who will question the NBA's integrity.

He has a history of being one of the most critical of his own product, but chose the right stance at this time. Every owner, player and referee must stand behind the league.

[dlb]

My dad once said that people tend to watch the sports they played as kids. That was why he never could relate to basketball. Soccer has a very bright future.

[bedir than average]

This article on why Soccer's time is now in the US has some intriguing numbers in it

Soccer's time has finally come, to dismay of sport's haters

Or we have the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Brian Burwell: "Is there anyone who believes (soccer) will ever rise above the NHL or even the WNBA, and become a core American sporting pastime?"

Hmm ... let's see. Average MLS attendance (mostly pre-Beckham): 14,913. Average WNBA attendance this summer: 7,643. Heck, the smallest crowd at an MLS game this season was 7,100.

Oh, and that average MLS attendance, which certainly will perk up when Becks finally starts bending it, is better than six NHL teams.

Fact is, the unfairly maligned MLS is the 12th-most attended top-flight soccer league in the world, according to the BBC, which also pointed out that the 2006 World Cup final attracted more television viewers than any game of the 2005 World Series.

Folks, soccer is advancing from the sports periphery. It won't arrive overnight. And it won't just because of Beckham. He'll accelerate the process. Despite what the grumps say, he's still an excellent player. But there's a dainty shyness about him and his voice is famously thin. He'll work better as a symbol rather than a charismatic spokesman.

This is part of why I think that MLS has major issues. while it isn't a top 15 league for talent quite yet, it is for attendance. It compares well to the NHL, especially when the final numbers are in, and yet it won't get the respect from the media.

[John F]

A late reply on this thread but I think it's still relevant...

Gary Bettman might think he's got it easiest compared to his counterparts but with the looming marketing disaster that may be his RBK Edge switch, coupled with other problems... well, hell, I just wanted to make sure no one things things have gotten easier for Gary since Roger Goodell's situation has gotten so much tougher...